Amazing cynicism: the Crimea called the closure of Turkey “a good chance” for the region’s resorts. Who would doubt that! When most of the Black Sea hotels are rated two “Turkish stars”, and three meals a day are the masterpieces of mid-range Soviet canteen cooking, millions of tourists can only be counted on in the disastrous situation that has happened now. Otherwise, Russians spoiled by overseas service can hardly be lured to domestic resorts. This time from the closure of Turkey
almost 600 thousand Russians suffered, including Saratov residents.
Test for patriotism
The official reason for the closure of Turkey from April 15 to June 1 was the epidemiological situation. True, in this case, it is not clear why Tanzania was also closed, in which today the minimum morbidity and mortality rate from coronavirus in the world (according to the website coronavirus-monitor.info).
But if you listen to the Russian senators, it becomes clear where the legs are growing from. Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev called the refusal of Russians to leave in Turkey a “test of patriotism”, as he wrote on his Facebook page. Mr. Kosachev referred to the statement of the President of Turkey, who refused to recognize Crimea as part of Russia. The senator wished that after “such statements, at least some of the vacationers considered it morally impossible for themselves to have a rest in a country that encroaches on the rights and freedoms of millions of their fellow citizens.” And by their own choice, and not at all because of canceled flights.
But the senator does not explain what to do for those tourists who purchased vouchers to this country before President Erdogan’s statements, since it will not be possible to return money for a missed vacation.
“Money will hardly be returned to tourists who have purchased tickets to Turkey,” says Dmitry Demyanik, director of the Green Parrot travel agency. – The Federal Tourism Agency reported that the funds will again go to deposits. Our tourists are shocked, because people have different incomes and for many, 50 thousand rubles for a trip for two, which they invested in a vacation on the Turkish coast, is a lot of money. Someone was planning to have a rest with children, and then such an unexpected turn. Rebooking to other destinations is unrealistic, as there is no alternative. They said they were supposed to launch regular flights to Tunisia in May, but so far there has been silence. We are waiting for the opening of Bulgaria, Cyprus, we hope for Egypt. As for domestic resorts, it is still cold there in May, and I think that after the closure of Turkey, prices for vacations in the Krasnodar Territory and Crimea will rise. My clients wanted to fly to Turkey, but after the direction was closed, they asked me to find a tour to Dagestan. However, the cost turned out to be very high: 120 thousand for three people, seven days of rest, and only with breakfast. Even if it will be 20 thousand cheaper for cashback, it is still very expensive. What are the predictions? If at least a couple of countries do not open by the end of July, the tourism business will simply collapse. First of all, travel agencies, because they do not receive any support from the state. Individual tour operators may then leave the market. It will be even worse than last year – in 2020, the tourism business had a small “safety cushion”, but now it does not.
Sea lights out
“Sales have just started in Turkey, 90% of the tourists who contacted us wanted to relax in this country,” comments Dmitry Anpilogov, Chairman of the Committee on Tourism Entrepreneurship at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Saratov Region, Director of Laguna Tour LLC … – Therefore, both for us and for tourists, the closure of the country has become a real disaster. People’s trust was undermined – they planned a vacation, bought a tour, as they say, did not bode well – and suddenly such news. Now tourists’ funds are being transferred to deposits again, like last year. Now travelers are persuaded to relocate to other countries, but in fact there are no open countries. They promise Egypt, which has been closed for six years, Tunisia, but there is no clarity about it either. And most importantly, which of the tourists will believe again and dare to buy a ticket, knowing that at any moment the country can be closed? Of course, Cuba and the Maldives are still open, but this is a completely different format for recreation and different prices, and it’s a long way to fly.
Officials in Crimea and Krasnodar Territory hope that due to the closure of Turkey, more tourists will visit the Black Sea resorts. But Russian citizens have already started looking for workarounds, considering the option of flying abroad from fraternal Belarus. Minsk travel agencies openly place invitations for Russians on their websites, indicating that charters fly to Turkey regularly, and the cost of a vacation for two will be from 40 to 50 thousand rubles. – cheaper than from Russia. You can also freely fly to Turkey from Kazakhstan.